Key.



J. L. RYAN.-

" KEY.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 22, 1913.

1 ,O94,478. Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. RYAN, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

KEY.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. RYAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bayonne, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Keys, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a key having an insulated handle portionadapted to be used in connection with call boxes, fire alarm boxes andin other places where there might be danger of injury through the use ofa metal key, by reason of the liability of a short circuit. Wiresleading from such boxes have at times become crossed with live wires anda number of fatal accidents have resulted from the use of ordinary brasskeys in connection with such boxes.

The invention consists of the novel features of construction hereinafterdescribed, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of the preferred form ofkey. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the shank and bit. Fig. 3 is a sideview of the handle portion. Fig. a is a side elevation partly in sectionof the modified construction.

In the drawings, 1 represents a key shank having a bit 2 and providedwith a reduced threaded portion 3, these-parts being formed of metal.

A hard rubber handle portion 4: is provided with the usual ring 5 at oneend, and at the opposite end is interiorly recessed and threaded toreceive the reduced portion 3 of the shank 1. The handle portion 4 isalso provided with an integral flange 6 at its Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed December 22, 1913.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Serial No. 808,246.

inner end to prevent the hand from slipping beyond the handle 4- andonto the shank 1. The handle 1 and parts connected thereto are formed ofa suitable non-conductor such as hard rubber.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a key 7 provided with a bit 8 and having areduced handle portion 9 integral with the key shank, the said reducedportion being inclosed in a sheath or envelop of hard rubber 10 which isalso provided with a flange 11 corresponding to the flange 6. Thisconstitutes an insulating handle member similar in outward appearance tothe form shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Vhat I claim is 1. A key having a metal shank and bit portion and havingan insulated handle portion secured to said shank, said insulatedportion having an annular flange at its inner end.

2. A key formed in two sections, one sec tion comprising a metal shankand bit and the other section comprising a rubber handle portionterminating at its inner end in an annular flange.

3. A key consisting of a metal shank and bit having a reduced threadedportion, a handle member of a non-conducting material adapted to receivethe reduced threaded portion and an annular flange of non-conductingmaterial carried by the inner end of said handle portion.

JOHN L. RYAN.

lVitnesses CHAS. E. ANNETT, GRACE G. MELVIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O.

